This meeting of the Honolulu City Council's Committee on International and Legal Affairs, chaired by Councilmember Nishimoto, considered four agenda items and then entered executive session to discuss legal matters. The committee reported out most items for adoption, deferred one condemnation resolution pending further negotiations, and postponed a surplus property sale due to outstanding questions.
Resolution 26-133 (Gift Resolution for Managing Director's Office): A proposed hand-carry CD1 (OCS 2026-4004, June 22, 2026, 3:09 p.m.) was submitted by the chair. Deputy Managing Director Ian Shering testified in support, noting the resolution would facilitate collaboration with the Trust for Public Lands to secure federal funding for public spaces. No public testimony was offered. The committee reported the resolution as amended out for adoption with no objections.
Resolution 26-73 (Condemnation of Storm Drain Easement, Kahalu'u): Aaron Sakamoto of DDC testified that the easement is a realignment of an existing 1955 easement, and that previous owners had agreed but documentation issues arose after the property changed hands. He stated DDC had attempted contact with Mr. Hoffman without response. Councilmember Tupola asked DDC to meet with the property owner, and Councilmember Waters (in whose district the property lies) requested a deferral to allow further discussion. DDC agreed to a sit-down. The chair deferred action to a date and time to be determined.
Resolution 26-71 (Sale of Surplus Property, Westlock Golf Course): Paula Youngling (Purchasing Administrator) testified that the parcels are being sold to abutting owners, initiated by their requests. Councilmember Kia Aina raised concerns about alienation of public lands (over an acre per parcel) and the lack of a competitive bidding process. Councilmember Tupola questioned why 10% of proceeds would go to the Reserve for Fiscal Stability instead of the general fund. The chair postponed the item to a date to be determined, pending further information.
Executive Session Items (Items 5-11): The committee resolved into executive session to consult with attorneys on legal services, settlements, and litigation. The following persons participated: all council members present, Corporation Counsel staff, and OCS Director Park and others. After the closed session, the chair reported out recommendations:
Okay, calling to order the committee on international and legal affairs, noting the presence of council members waters, Okimoto Cordero, Tupola, and Kia Aina. Okay, members pursuant to section ninety-two dash three point seven HRS. This meeting will be conducted as a remote meeting by interactive conference technology with the following procedures in effect for the meeting. Members of the public will be allowed to testify, will be allowed to provide oral testimony on all items on the agenda in person in the council chamber and remotely when each agenda item is taken up. As both English and Hawaiian are official languages of the state of Hawaii, pursuant to Article 15, section four of the Hawaii State Constitution and Section One Thirteen of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Members of the public may testify in either language. Okay, agenda item number two, resolution 26-133. This is uh gift reso for um for the managing director's office from the public the trust for public lands. Members, we have a proposed hand carry CD1 identified as OCS 2026-4004 slash 6 slash 22 slash 2026, 309 p.m. Submitted by myself. Um you guys have copies of the hand carried C D. I won't go over what it what's in it, but um you can see it for the for yourself. Okay, moving to testifiers. Deputy Managing Director. Welcome. Thank you, Council members. Uh Ian Shering, Deputy Managing Director representing the administration. Uh, just want to say thank you for your consideration for this resolution. Uh very productive trip to DC for Anika Nozaki, who is uh member of our federal funding coordination team in the managing director's office, uh focused on better collaboration with the trust for public lands uh in securing federal funding uh opportunities for public spaces, parks, green spaces here on Oahu. So we appreciate your consideration and happy to answer any questions any of you might have. Okay, thank you. Anyone else wishing to testify in person, please come forward. See none. Any remote testifiers? Chair, there are none. Okay, members, any questions? All right, see none. Chair recommends that resolution 26 133 as amended to the hand carry CD1 identified as OCS 2026-0404 slash six slash 22 slash 2006 at 309 p.m. Any discussion? Any objections? See none, thank you. Chair then recommends that resolution 26-133 CD1 be reported out for adoption. Any discussion? Any objections. See none, thank you. Moving to agenda item number three. This is uh resolution 26-73 condemnation of a storm dream easement. Um let's see, in the Kahalu Oahu. Um testifier will be Aaron Sakamoto. Is Aaron here? All right, Aaron. Good afternoon, Chair Nishimoto, Vice Chair Topolo, Aaron Sakamoto with the Department of Design and Construction. We've submitted for your consideration uh draft resolution authorizing the acquisition of two drainage easements in the Kaalu area. And I'm available to enter any questions that you may have. Thank you, Aaron. Anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? Please come forward. Sir Hi, my name is Doug Hoffman. I'm one of the residents at the uh addresses uh under discussion. The uh reason I'm here is because the DCC has not really been a very good partner as working for resolution to acquire this easement.